Germany, France condemn Ben Gvir over ‘inhumane’ call to kill 30-40 Gazans per night

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemns remarks by National Security Minister that Israel should kill 30 to 40 people every night in Gaza, a government spokesman says.

“The chancellor strongly condemns the inhumane appeals made by Minister (Itamar) Ben Gvir, which violate international law,” spokesman Sebastian Hille said. “They are unacceptable.”

Speaking to former Palestinian Islamic Jihad hostage Rom Braslavski in comments aired Saturday night, Ben Gvir said Israel’s military “should carry out targeted assassinations in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night,” apparently referring to Hamas operatives and other enemies of Israel.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also speaks out against Ben Gvir, calling his remarks “intolerable and inhumane.”

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said yesterday that sanctions were being discussed at the European level.

Germany also condemns Israeli plans to build over 1,000 housing units in the so-called E-1 area of the West Bank, saying it jeopardizes the prospect for a two-state solution.

“Our message is clear: there must be no further steps toward annexation in the West Bank,” says Hille. “No formal ones, but also no political, structural, or other measures whose impact is increasingly and obviously leading toward annexation. They run counter to a two-state solution.”

Critics and proponents alike say development of the corridor will effectively cleave the West Bank into two parts, hurting hopes for a contiguous Palestinian state in the territory.